Eppleton captain Lee Welch cannot remember his side starting a season without a win in their first four games and he reckons it could be difficult to force a breakthrough at Burnmoor tomorrow.

"Over the years, we have had a very good side and have always challenged for the championship and cup competitions," he said.

"But so far we have not managed to achieve a victory in the league and we lost to Kimblesworth in the Premier Sports Horner Cup.

"We have got to start winning if we are to get up amongst the leaders."

Welch thought his side was in a good position when rain washed out last Saturday's match with South Hetton but, in the previous fixture, he considered it took Eppleton too long to bowl their overs and eventually Eppleton ran out of time at Boldon.

"This is something we have got to work on," added Welch. "We have got to give ourselves the best possible chance when we bat second and that means bowling our overs as quickly as we can."

Eppleton are operating without an overseas professional and instead recruited Stuart Lacey from Seaham Harbour and persuaded Sean Birbeck to return after just one season in the Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League with Chester-le-Street.

Last year, another former Seaham Harbour player Neil McKinney moved to the Hetton club and Welch is pleased with the performance of the trio.

"Neil had a good season in 2002 and both Stuart and Sean have made a good start this time around," he said. "I am confident our first win is not far away." Colin Anderson, who has recovered from a wrist injury, is back in the Eppleton side.

Champions Burnmoor are sixth, having lost to leaders Horden. Skipper John Tindale anticipates fielding a full-strength line-up with former Durham opener Gary Brown returning to add strength to a formidable batting line-up.